Chivas Regal XV

This is a solid new offering from Chivas, aged solely in Grande Champagne Cognac Casks. It's the only 15-year-old blend Chivas currently offers. Bottled at 40% ABV. Its aroma is quite inviting: Tobacco, green grapes, charred oak, freshly picked green apples, dry grass, maple syrup, and pear. On the palate: Red apples, cinnamon, ginger, charred oak. The aftertaste is herbal and spicy, lingering. In summary, this is a fine dram, an easy choice for everyday sipping. 80/100.

Nose: It's unusual, but I first get metallic notes, easily found in Irish Whiskey. Apple pie, a little bit of caramel. Palate: It's a moderately smooth and moderately dry experience. A bit briny, spicy (ginger). Finish: Medium length. It starts smooth, but then a butterscotch aftertaste appears. Overall: A quite nice dram. I preferred the nose to the palate, but the finish is good. It's not the richest blend I've had, but it's good and worth the cost.

Aroma: rich and sweet with concentrated notes of cooked apples, homemade orange marmalade, honey, cinnamon, and moist, juicy sultanas. Palate: smooth and fruity flavors of stewed pears mixed with butterscotch and caramel candies, all combined in a wonderfully velvety texture. Finish: Rounded off with a hint of vanilla.

Nose: vanilla, caramel, oak, pear, clove, cinnamon, cut grass, citrus, dried raisin Palate: dominant spices, dried raisins, pear, vanilla, oak Finish is quite long, lingering with spices, fruits, and cut grass notes. Very easy to drink, a good well-balanced and quite complex blend.

I've never enjoyed a Chivas. This is slightly better than the original, with some fruit from the cognac finish, but it lacks age or depth. The finish and flavor vanish quickly. I would never purchase it myself; many superior options exist.

Nose: Aged wood, vanilla Palate: Vanilla, toffee, prunes, and dried stone fruit Finish: Seems mature, brief to moderate, well-rounded, refreshing Overall, a respectable drink, but not worth the premium over the 12-year-old. The cognac's influence is detectable in the finish and somewhat on the nose.